• Kidneys:
- blood in the urine
- nephrotic syndrome (increased protein in urine
and fluid retention)
- too much protein in the urine
- inflammation of the kidneys, reduced kidney
function or kidney failure.
• Reproductive system:
- bleeding from the vagina
- breast enlargement or tenderness, enlarged
breasts in men.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor,
pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side
effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more
information on the safety of this medicine.

5 How to store Indometacin capsules

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Store below 25°C in a dry place. Protect from light.
Do not take Indometacin capsules after the expiry
date which is stated on the label/carton/bottle.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater
or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
dispose of medicines no longer required. These
measures will help to protect the environment.

If you would like a
leaflet with larger
text, please contact
01271 311257.

Indometacin 25mg
and 50mg capsules
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you
start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it
again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
• If any of the side effects gets serious or
if you notice any side effects not listed
in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or
pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you.
Do not pass it on to others. It may harm
them, even if their symptoms are the same
as yours.

2 Before you take Indometacin capsules
Do not take Indometacin capsules if you:

In this leaflet:
1 What Indometacin capsules are and
what they are used for
2 Before you take Indometacin capsules
3 How to take Indometacin capsules
4 Possible side effects
5 How to store Indometacin capsules
6 Further information

Check with your doctor before taking
Indometacin capsules if you are:

1 What Indometacin capsules are and

what they are used for

Indometacin capsules belong to a group of medicines
called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs). These medicines are pain killers which
reduce swelling.
Indometacin capsules are for:
• inflammatory diseases of the joints such
as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and
degenerative hip disease
• pain and stiffness in the backbone (ankylosing
spondylitis)
• sprains and strains (acute muscle and bone
disorders)
• lower back pain
• pain and swelling following muscle or bone surgery
• period pain
• gout.

• are in the last three months of pregnancy
• are allergic (hypersensitive) to indometacin or
any of the ingredients of Indometacin capsules (see
section 6)
• are allergic (hypersensitive) to aspirin, ibuprofen
or other NSAIDs or you have developed signs of
asthma (wheezing), runny nose, swelling of the
face, lips, tongue or throat, or a skin rash with pale
or red irregular raised patches with severe itching,
when taking these medicines
• are taking other NSAIDs (e.g. naproxen) including
COX II inhibitors (e.g. celecoxib)
• suffer with angioneurotic oedema (swelling of the
face, lips, tongue or throat)
• have or have had a history of two or more
episodes of peptic ulcer (ulcer in your stomach
or duodenum) or bleeding in your stomach or
intestines in the past. Symptoms may include
vomiting particles that look like coffee-grounds,
black tarry stools and blood in your faeces (stools/
motions)
• have severe liver, kidney or heart problems
• have nasal obstruction (nasal polyps).
Indometacin capsules must not be used in
children.

• elderly (see “Other warnings”)
• to have a vaccination with a live vaccine
• a woman trying to become pregnant or
undergoing investigation for infertility
Indometacin may make it more difficult to become
pregnant. You should inform your doctor if you
are planning to become pregnant or if you have
problems becoming pregnant
• taking medicines poisonous to the kidneys such
as cisplatin or vancomycin.

• any liver, kidney or heart problems
• fluid retention which may be caused by diseases
of the heart or kidneys
• asthma or a history of asthma
• have or have a history of gastrointestinal diseases
such as ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other
connective tissue disorders
• diabetes
• a decreased amount of fluid around the cells of
the body (extracellular volume depletion)
• peripheral arterial disease (a problem with the
circulation in the legs).

Other warnings

If you are elderly or you have previously had
stomach ulcers, you have a higher risk of getting
side effects, especially from the stomach. Your doctor
should therefore prescribe the lowest dose that gives
you sufficient relief. If you experience any unusual
symptoms from the stomach, you must tell your
doctor about it.
Medicines such as indometacin may be associated
with a small increased risk of heart attack
(“myocardial infarction”) or stroke. Any risk is more
likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do
not exceed the recommended dose or duration of
treatment.
If you have heart problems, previous stroke or think
you might be at risk of these conditions (for example
if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high
cholesterol or are a smoker) you should discuss your
treatment with your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking pain killers for headaches too often or for too
long can make them worse.

If you are in the last three months of pregnancy, you
must not take Indometacin capsules. You should
only take Indometacin capsules in the first six
months of pregnancy or if you are breast-feeding
under medical supervision. Always ask your doctor
before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Indometacin capsules may make you feel, drowsy,
dizzy or affect your vision. Make sure you are not
affected before you drive or operate machinery.

Tests

Your doctor may want to carry out tests to monitor
your kidney and liver function, the levels of blood
cells and the effects on your stomach and intestines
(especially if you are elderly). If you have or have had
a history of high blood pressure or heart failure your
doctor may also want to monitor you. If you have
rheumatoid arthritis you may be advised to have
regular eye tests to check your sight.

Surgery

If you are about to have, or have recently had
surgery, please contact your doctor before using this
medicine.

3 How to take Indometacin capsules

Always take Indometacin capsules exactly as your
doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with
your doctor or pharmacist.
Swallow the capsules with or after food, milk or
antacids (indigestion remedy) to reduce side effects
on the stomach and intestines.
Dose
• Adults:
- Acute rheumatoid arthritis: initially 25mg two or
three times a day.
- Chronic joint disorders: 25mg two or three
times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose
depending on your response, up to a maximum of
200mg a day.
- Sudden worsening of a chronic disorder: up to
150-200mg a day. Your doctor will decide on the
best dose for you.
- Acute muscle and bone disorders: initially
50mg two or three times a day for 10-14 days.
Your doctor will decide on the best dose for you,
depending on the severity of your condition.
- Lower back pain: 50mg two or three times a day
for 5-10 days. Your doctor will decide on the best
dose for you, depending on the severity of your
condition.
- Acute attack of gout: 50mg three or four times a
day until symptoms decrease.
- After muscle or bone surgery: 100-150mg a
day in divided doses, to be taken until symptoms
decrease.
• Elderly:
If you are elderly, your doctor will give you the
lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of
time.
• Children:
Indometacin capsules must not be used in children.

If you take more Indometacin capsules than
you should

It is important not to take too many capsules. Contact
your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department
immediately, if you have taken more capsules than
you should or a child accidentally swallows any.
Symptoms of overdose are headache, feeling or
being sick, stomach pain, bleeding in the stomach
or intestines, diarrhoea, disorientation, excitement,
coma, drowsiness, dizziness, ringing or buzzing in
the ears, fainting, fits or seizures, kidney failure, liver
damage.

If you forget to take Indometacin capsules

If you forget to take your capsules, take the missed
dose as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly
time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to
make up for one you have missed.

Like all medicines, Indometacin capsules can cause
side effects, although not everybody gets them.
STOP TAKING the medicine and seek immediate
medical help if you develop any of the following
at any time during your treatment:
• signs of bleeding in the stomach:
- Pass blood in your faeces (stools/motions)
- Pass black tarry stools
- Vomit any blood or dark particles that look like
coffee grounds
• signs of an allergic reaction:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing, asthma,
sudden decrease in blood pressure
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

STOP TAKING the medicine and tell your doctor if
you experience:
• indigestion or heartburn
• abdominal pain (pains in your stomach) or other
abnormal stomach symptoms
• effects on the stomach such as feeling or being
sick, inflammation of the stomach lining, small
intestine or mouth, constipation, diarrhoea,
wind, perforation of previous intestinal damage,
narrowing of or blockage in the intestine
• abnormal liver function (as seen in blood tests)
• liver disease: yellowing of the skin or whites of the
eyes (jaundice), inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
causing fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight
loss, abdominal pain, fever
• skin reactions such as itching, pale or red irregular
raised patches with severe itching (hives), disorder
characterised by blood spots, bruising and
discolouring of the skin (purpura), blisters or skin
that is red, flaky or peeling such as severe rash
involving reddening, peeling and swelling of the
skin that resembles severe burns (toxic epidermal
necrolysis), circular, irregular red patches on the
skin of the hands and arms (erythema multiforme),
severe form of skin rash with flushing, fever, blisters
or ulcers (Stevens Johnson syndrome)
• aseptic meningitis (stiff neck, headache, feeling or
being sick, fever, disorientation) especially in those
who already have an auto-immune disease such as
systemic lupus erythematosus or mixed connective
tissue disease.
Medicines such as Indometacin may be associated
with a small increased risk of heart attack (“myocardial
infarction”) or stroke (see Section 2 ‘Other warnings’).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of
the following side effects:
• Eyes:
- blurred and double vision
- inflammation of the optic nerve (which may
cause eye pain and loss of vision)
- eye pain
- changes in your sight.
• Ear:
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- hearing disturbances including deafness.
• Blood:
- small purple red spots, nosebleeds, bruising,
disorder characterised by blood spots, blood
clotting throughout the body, disturbance of

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.